Dudes On Hockey » podcast

On Rising Ticket Prices

Mike — Thu, 10 May 2012 22:30:12 +0000

I read this after we recorded the podcast yesterday, that the Sharks are raising ticket prices, but only for some. If you sit on the end where the Sharks attack twice, you will pay more than those that sit at the other end of the arena. Of course this will affect us- we are in the ‘best’ corner, facing the benches and the opposing goalie two out of three periods.

Let’s get one thing out of the way first- the reason ticket prices are raised is because the team believes the market will bear it. The amount of winning the team does is a minor factor, if at all. Although running a sports team isn’t exactly the same as running a business (read the great Malcolm Gladwell piece on it and try to ignore the fact that it’s about basketball), the owners are still trying to make money. I’m sure they considered the public relations fallout, but I imagine the owners know that the price elasticity here is rather low. In fact, it wouldn’t surprise me if they have it calculated to the third decimal point. This is the only major sports team in San Jose, and while this past season is disappointing, the team overall in the past decade has been very competitive. The Sharks couldn’t raise the prices by 20% without fallout, but they probably could raise prices more than, say, the Stars, who are in a very competitive sports environment (with hockey probably a distant third or fourth) and not a stellar track record these past few years.

From a fairness perspectice, it’s certainly a supportable argument that the seats at the ‘good’ end are more desirable, and thus worth more. The problem is who it affects the most.

Me.

Well, that’s true, but not really my point. As is the case for most teams, the Sharks’ season ticket holders gain seniority the longer they hold their seats, and your appointment to choose new seats, should you choose to do so, is directly tied to your seniority score. Thus, up until now, it was the most senior fans that had the seats in the best spots. Consequently, this new ticket pricing scheme is directly and disproportionately screwing the people who have held season tickets the longest.

This is not the best public relations strategy. Many businesses realize that the most loyal customers are the customers that provide the bulk of the revenue to the business, and many times smart businesses make choices that reward repeat and loyal customers, even at the expense of newer or drive-by customers. This is precisely the opposite of what the Sharks are doing. I’m not sure what is worse- that the ownership group realized this and doesn’t care, or it didn’t occur to them that the most loyal fans are taking it in the teeth.

In essence, this is the Sharks:

I have yet to decide if I will or won’t.

DOH 197 – Sharks Are Still Out

Mike — Thu, 10 May 2012 04:03:39 +0000

But the new Santana addition is in. Despite a lack of sleep, Doug joins on the phone, and the Dudes break down the remaining teams in the playoffs, the pool situation, and more Sharks conjecture.

DOH 196 – Slightly Calmer, Not Any Happier

Mike — Tue, 01 May 2012 03:39:38 +0000

After more than a week to reflect, Mike and Doug don’t have the raw emotion anymore, but the initial reaction still stands. The Dudes talk about the coaching staff, T-Mac, the inevitable Patrick Marleau bashing, and other changes that might take place.

DOH 196 – End of an Era?

Mike — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 04:47:18 +0000

The Sharks blow a 3rd period leave and exit the playoffs earlier than they ever have, in 5 games. Mike and Doug provide a instant reaction to the Sharks’ disappointing season, along with knee-jerk reactions about what might happen next.

DOH 195 – Sharks and Blues, Tied at 1

Mike — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 23:58:26 +0000

The Sharks win game 1 in double OT, but get beat fairly badly in St. Louis in game 2. But the Sharks have home ice for games 3 and 4, so Mike and Doug talk about the keys to winning those games. Also, there is so much good hockey going on, and other Round 1 stories to talk about.

DOH 194 – Sharks vs. Blues 1

Mike — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 04:56:04 +0000

The Sharks have made it into the playoff by winning their last four games, the two against the Kings in a wildly entertaining fashion. But now they face the Blues in the first round, without beating them all year.

DOH 193 – It’s Come Down To This

Mike — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 05:21:37 +0000

With only three games remaining in the season, the Sharks still can win the Pacific, or miss the playoffs entirely. It’s as tense a situation as there has been in San Jose for several years. The Dudes try and guess what might happen, revisit the Remenda-Ratto dustup, and identify other playoff matchups that will be fun to watch.

DOH 191 – Playoff Push

Mike — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 01:30:31 +0000

Mike and Doug talk about the efficacy of the sacrifice, and the lack of efficacy against the Ducks.

DOH 190 – The Sacrifice

Mike — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 19:56:43 +0000

DOH 189 – T.J. Galliardi, Where Art Thou?

Mike — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 23:51:09 +0000

The Sharks slide continues, as they barely beat Philly, but lose to the Sabres and Blues. Mike and Doug try not to panic, and gauge what the Sharks need to do in order to make the playoffs.